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US HISTORY

US HISTORY. Chapter 6 The American Revolution 1776-1783. Lesson 1 – The War for Independence. The British Military Advantages army of 50,000 soldiers most powerful navy in the world well trained soldiers and officers

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US HISTORY

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  1. US HISTORY Chapter 6 The American Revolution 1776-1783

  2. Lesson 1 – The War for Independence • The British Military • Advantages • army of 50,000 soldiers • most powerful navy in the world • well trained soldiers and officers • Loyalists – (Tories) somewhere between 1/5 to 1/3 of colonists still supported the British • African-Americans – many fought for the British...some were promised their freedom if the British won • hired Hessians - German professional soldiers • Disadvantages • far from home & supplies (over 3000 miles) • unfamiliar with the landscape • fighting for no real cause

  3. Lesson 1 – The War for Independence • The Continental Army • Had 15,000-20,000 members at its largest • Advantages • knew the countryside • knew how to survive in the wilderness • believed in their cause of freedom • George Washington as commander

  4. Lesson 1 – The War for Independence • Battle of Long Island (NY) • August 1776 • Nathan Hale– Connecticut teacher, spied on the British, was caught and hanged, famous last words  “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” • British badly defeated the Patriots • Continental Army was in rough shape  many had no shoes, socks, or jackets • Washington retreated from NY and was chased across NJ into Pennsylvania

  5. Lesson 1 – The War for Independence • Crossing of the Delaware • Winter of 1776 – most British soldiers were in NYC with smaller forces in Princeton and Trenton, NJ • December 25, 1776– Washington & his men cross the Delaware River from Pennsylvania into New Jersey • They surprise attack the British camp at Trenton • Many Hessians were celebrating Christmas • Washington’s crossing is now depicted on the New Jersey quarter

  6. Lesson 1 – The War for Independence • British Plan to Capture Albany (NY) • Early 1777 – British began a plan to capture Albany, NY • This would give them control of the Hudson River and cut off New England from the rest of the colonies • British troops would come south from Canada, east from Lake Ontario, and north from NYC to attack Albany

  7. Lesson 1 – The War for Independence • British Plan to Capture Albany (NY) • British troops from NYC went south to Philadelphia first and were successful but winter was approaching so they stayed in Philly • British troops from Lake Ontario were stopped at Ft. Stanwix, NY (central NY)

  8. Lesson 1 – The War for Independence • British Plan to Capture Albany (NY) • British troops from Canada were in Saratoga, NY where they were attacked by Americans • Battle of Saratoga (October 1777)  British troops surrendered…enormous victory for the Americans and is considered the turning point of the war

  9. Lesson 2 – The War Continues • Foreign Allies • Ben Franklin had been in France for over a year trying to get the French to help us • Saratoga victory shows we have a chance to win • France and Spain both declared war on Britain

  10. Lesson 2 – The War Continues • Valley Forge • Washington’s army was here Winter 1777-78 • harsh living conditions • 2500 American soldiers die from hunger, cold, & disease

  11. Lesson 2 – The War Continues • Help from Overseas • Marquis de Lafayette • French nobleman • Inspired by the Declaration...came to the Colonies to help • Became one of Washington’s top aides • Returned to France after the war…years later, took part in the French Revolution – gave Washington the key to the Bastille (on display in Mt. Vernon)

  12. Lesson 2 – The War Continues • Help from Overseas • Kościuszko/Pulaski • Two men from Poland who came and supported Americans building defenses and serving in the military • Friedrich von Steuben • Prussian soldier • Helped drill the soldiers & helped the army become more effective • Juan de Miralles • Spaniard who helped secure funds for the Americans

  13. George Rogers Clark Lesson 3 – Battlegrounds Shift • Fighting in the West • Colonists west of the Appalachian Mtns. were under attack by Natives and British • Henry Hamilton (British commander at Detroit) was nicknamed the “hair buyer” because he’d buy colonists’ scalps from Natives • George Rogers Clark • Clark sets out with his men to stop the attacks on western settlers...captures British posts at Kaskaskia (IL) and Vincennes (IN) strengthening the American position in the west

  14. Lesson 3 – Battlegrounds Shift • The War at Sea • British Navy used an effective blockade around American harbors • American Navy was almost nonexistent…relied heavily on privateers  privately owned merchant ships equipped with weapons • John Paul Jones (Sept. 1779) • US ship, Bonhomme Richard, defeats British ship, Serapis, in battle • During the fight, Jones’ famous remark: “I have not yet begun to fight!”

  15. Lesson 3 – Battlegrounds Shift • Fighting in the South • Americans won several early battles • British concentrated their efforts in the South (hoped to use their Naval superiority and Loyalist support) • British were successful until the Americans began using guerrilla warfare • Francis Marion – “Swamp Fox,” one of the most successful guerrilla leaders...operated out of the swamps of South Carolina

  16. Lesson 4 – The Final Years • Southern portion of British Army was camped at Yorktown, VA (northern portion controlled NYC) • British troops at Yorktown became surrounded by land and water • October 19, 1781 – Cornwallis surrenders (considered the end of the Revolutionary War) • Some fighting still took place after Yorktown, but British eventually believed the war was too costly to pursue

  17. Lesson 4 – The Final Years • Treaty of Paris (ends the war) agreed to on September 3, 1783 • GB recognizes the US as an independent nation • GB promises to withdraw troops from American territory • GB gives US fishing rights off the coast of Canada • US agrees that British merchants could collect debts from Americans • US Congress would advise states to return properties to Loyalists (that were taken away during the war)

  18. Lesson 4 – The Final Years • The Newburgh Conspiracy • After the British surrendered, American Army is headquartered in Newburgh, NY • Congress didn’t want to pay soldiers full amount they were owed • Soldiers get angry...said if they weren’t paid, they would use force on Congress • Washington was able to get the soldiers to be patient AND got Congress to pay them

  19. Lesson 4 – The Final Years • Washington Resigns • British troops finally leave NYC in late November 1783 • December 4, 1783 – Washington says farewell to his troops...three weeks later, he formally resigns to Congress • Washington returns to Mt. Vernon to “take my leave of all the employments of public life”

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